Where the heck can I buy lye?!? or even dried soapwort?

[tomico]

   I have been searching every where. I have every other ingredient to make soap but I can't seem to find where to get lye. I really don't want to go to the extream of making my own. Pouring water through  a barrel in the woods full of wood ash seems just a bit over zealous. I've been to craft stores and all they sell are the premade soaps. I try looking it up on line and all I get are recipes and lye soaps that are made by other companys. Urgh! Help me!

   I have also been looking for a supply of soapwort. I want dried leaves so I can make a shampoo. Again, I run into the problem that I can get the seed packets or a live plant in season or a product that already has it or a recipe that uses it but not the actual dried product.

I live it Pittsburgh, PA so guiding me locally or on line will help.

Tomico

[laureg]

there's a product called red devil lye at most grocery stores in the states (i think) that's usualy located with the cleaning products. i've nevr seen it in canada, but from all reports, it SHOULD be widely avaolable throughout north america.

i actually got some in pellet form from a chemicals manufacturer in my city. when i talked to him, he gave me this huge (to me, anyways) container for free, because he said that unless i was buying it by the truckload, it didn't make sense to charge me for it. asking around can really pay off! i got mine just by flipping through the yellow pages and making a few calls. 

i hope that helps! if nothing else, you may have to order some online through a soap making supply company as a last resort.

[CosmicCranberry]

red devil lye is not being sold anymore.....stupid meth dealers ruined it for us crafters by making their wacky pills with it..........now nobody can buy it.......

[the.fee.fairy]

to add to this, does anyone know of any suppliers in the UK?

[kitchwitch]

I knew PA was doing away with selling lye, I didn't realize that it was in effect -
Try your local pagan/witchcraft supply stores. They ofter have a really good supply of herbs - and what they don't have, they are usually more than happy to order for you.

[tomico]

  Thank you, I'll try. I've been to the East End Co-op and requested both products. who knows if either will become available. I tried Goldenseal, an herbal supply store, and Whole Foods but have come up empty handed so far.
  My allergies bother me and the soap I've been using, Dr Bonner's, a bit heavy and harsh on my hair. I've been condtioning with egg yolk, jojoba oil and distilled water about once or twice a week. I just hope I can work out something that will stop making me itch!

Tommie

[Xanthia]

Try a swimming pool supply company, or a co-op where you can buy it for bulk

[spotlightgirl]

There are a few soaping supply places that sell lye online. Here's a few:

http://www.sarahsspacreations.com/SupplyProducts.asp?Product=Chemicals
http://www.thesoapdish.com/caustics.htm
http://www.chemistrystore.com/Sodium_Hydroxide.htm

[DaBunny]

http://www.mountainroseherbs.com sells soapwort. You can find lye at Lowe's in with the toilet and plumbing things (not the cleaning supplies.) It's called Roebic and is 100% sodium hydroxide. It's $7.99 for 2lbs.

[tomico]

Thanks for the help! I just found sights on line on my own that if you google sodium hydroxide you get a couple of chemical companies that will sell it in the Continental USA. $5 lb. at one place. and you have to buy more at another sight. I don't go to Loews because they are anti-union but I may look around for that brand. Thank you. 

http://www.chemistrystore.com/Sodium_Hydroxide.htm
http://shop2.chemassociates.com/shopsite/Chemassoc2/pas-sodiumhydroxide-soapgrade.html

Now, can anyone find the dried soapwort?

Tomico